Dahlia plant named &#39;G13532&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘G13532’, characterized by its compact and upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; very dark brown-colored leaves; early and freely flowering habit; and semi-double type inflorescences with purple violet-colored ray florets.

Botanical designation: Dahlia variabilis.

Cultivar denomination: ‘G13532 ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia variabilis and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘G13532’.

The new Dahlia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Bellefonte, Pa. The objective of the breeding program is to create new vigorous Dahlia plants that have dark-colored leaves, large attractive inflorescences and reduced sensitivity to Powdery Mildew.

The new Dahlia plant originated from a cross-pollination in Bellefonte, Pa. in November, 2012 of a proprietary selection of Dahlia variabilis identified as code number 3173-3, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Dahlia variabilis identified as code number 3182-3, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Dahlia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bellefonte, Pa. in June, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bellefonte, Pa. since July, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Dahlia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘G13532’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘G13532’ as a new and distinct Dahlia plant:

-   -   1. Compact and upright plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit.     -   4. Very dark brown-colored leaves.     -   5. Early and freely flowering habit.     -   6. Semi-double type inflorescences with purple violet-colored         ray florets.

Compared to plants of the female parent selection, plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia are more vigorous than plants of the         female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia have semi-double type inflorescences         whereas plants of the female parent selection have single type         inflorescences.     -   3. Plants of the new Dahlia and the female parent selection         differ in ray floret color as plants of the female parent         selection have lavender purple-colored ray florets.

Compared to plants of the male parent selection, plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia are more vigorous than plants of the         male parent selection.     -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Dahlia are darker in color than         leaves of plants of the male parent selection.     -   3. Plants of the new Dahlia flower earlier than plants of the         male parent selection.     -   4. Plants of the new Dahlia and the male parent selection differ         in ray floret color as plants of the male parent selection have         salmon orange-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia ‘Zone Ten’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,885. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bellefonte, Pa., plants of the new Dahlia differed primarily from plants of ‘Zone Ten’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia had semi-double type inflorescences         whereas plants of ‘Zone Ten’ had single type inflorescences.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia and ‘Zone Ten’ differed in ray         floret color as plants of ‘Zone Ten’ had soft pink and white         bi-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia ‘HDPU165’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,299. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bellefonte, Pa., plants of the new Dahlia differed primarily from plants of ‘HDPU165’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia were more vigorous than plants of         ‘HDPU165’.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia had semi-double type inflorescences         whereas plants of ‘HDPU165’ had single type inflorescences.     -   3. Plants of the new Dahlia and ‘HDPU165’ differed in ray floret         color as plants of ‘HDPU165’ had red purple-colored ray florets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Dahlia plant.

The photograph on the right side of the sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘G13532’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the left side of the sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘G13532’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and the following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the summer in 10-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Bonsall, Calif. and under cultural practices typical of commercial potted Dahlia production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 27° C., night temperatures averaged 18° C. and light levels ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 foot-candles. Plants were pinched one time and were seven weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia variabilis ‘G13532’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia             variabilis identified as code number 3173-3, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia             variabilis identified as code number 3182-3, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 7 to 10 days at             ambient temperatures about 22° C. to 27° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 10 to 14 days at             ambient temperatures about 18° C. to 23° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, summer.—About three to four             weeks at ambient temperatures about 22° C. to 27° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, winter.—About four weeks at             temperatures about 18° C. to 23° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy and fibrous;             close to white to creamy white in color, actual color of the             roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizers, substrate temperature and age of roots; tuber             development has not been observed on plants of the new             Dahlia.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact and upright plant form;             inverted triangle; freely branching habit with about four             lateral branches developing per plant, each lateral with             potentially one to two secondary laterals developing per             node; pinching enhances lateral branch development;             inflorescences held above the foliar plane on strong             peduncles; vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 27.5 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 20.5 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 25.5 cm. Diameter: About             6 mm. Internode length: About 4.5 cm to 5 cm. Strength:             Strong. Aspect: Erect. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Luster:             Matte. Color: Close to 187A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite; simple.         -   Length.—About 7.3 cm.         -   Width.—About 8.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Deeply five-lobed with parallel to divergent sinuses.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrulate.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous;             leathery and slightly coarse.         -   Luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Matte.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to N137A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 197A. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Slightly more green than             200A, close to black in appearance; venation, close to 200A.             Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 148A;             venation, close to 200B to 200C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 4.4 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.             Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous. Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Glossy. Color,             upper surface: Close to N200A. Color, lower surface: Close             to 200B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and arrangement.—Semi-double inflorescence form             with ray florets forming acropetally on a receptacle;             inflorescences positioned above the foliar plane on strong             peduncles; inflorescences face mostly upright to outwardly;             freely flowering habit with about ten inflorescence buds and             open inflorescences at one time.         -   Fragrance.—Faint; slightly sour.         -   Time to flower.—Early flowering habit, plants begin             flowering about five weeks after planting; plants flower             continuously from late spring through the autumn in Southern             California.         -   Post-production longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good             substance for about five days on the plant; inflorescences             persistent.         -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 2 cm. Diameter: About             1.2 cm. Shape: Ovoid to conical. Color: Close to N81A to             N81B.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 6.7 cm. Depth (height):             About 2.8 cm. Disc diameter: About 2 cm.         -   Receptacles.—Height: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 3.6 cm.             Shape: Shallow bowl-shape. Color: Close to 200A and 200B to             200C.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: About 32 arranged             in three whorls. Length: About 3.4 cm. Width: About 1.7 cm.             Shape: Obovate. Apex: Shallowly emarginate. Base: Attenuate.             Margin: Entire. Aspect: Initially upright to roughly             perpendicular to the peduncle; somewhat concave. Texture,             upper and lower surfaces: Longitudinally ridged, glabrous.             Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Matte, velvety. Color:             When opening, upper surface: Close to N78A. When opening,             lower surface: Close to N78B to N78C. Fully opened, upper             surface: Close to N81C; color becoming closer to N78C to             N78D with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to             N81D; color becoming closer to N78D with development.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: About 62. Length:             About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Tubular,             elongated; apices acute. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Luster:             Satiny. Color, when opening: Apex: Close to 175B.             Mid-section: Close to 167B. Base: Close to 165C. Color,             fully opened: Apex: Close to 175B. Mid-section: Close to             N167B. Base: Close to 162B.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: About 40 arranged in             about four to five whorls. Length: About 1.6 cm. Width:             About 6 mm. Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate.             Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous. Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Shiny. Color,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to 195A.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 9.5 cm.             Diameter: About 2 mm. Aspect: Mostly erect. Strength:             Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Luster: Matte. Color:             Close to 200A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Present on disc florets only; ray             florets without visible reproductive organs. Androecium:             Quantity per floret: Five. Filament length: About 4 mm.             Filament color: Close to 145D. Anther shape: Lanceolate.             Anther length: About 4 mm. Anther color: Close to N163D.             Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 23A.             Gynoecium: Quantity per floret: One. Pistil length: About             1.8 cm. Style length: About 1.2 cm. Style color: Close to             NN155D. Stigma shape: Bi-parted. Stigma color: Close to 21B.             Ovary color: Close to 155A. Seeds and fruits: Seed and fruit             development have not been observed on plants of the new             Dahlia. -   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Dahlia have not been     observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Dahlia     plants. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Dahlia plant named ‘G13532’ as illustrated and described. 